AIRBNB TIPS & INSIGHTS
From Illegal Niagara Airbnbs to 8 Units in Arizona: Lessons from Ramis’s Wild STR Journey
Watch Now 👉 https://youtu.be/MwaAYT7woPk
What if you could turn $0 into $50,000, and scale to 8 profitable Airbnb units—all while barely lifting a finger?
That’s exactly what Ramis, a Canadian realtor turned short-term rental investor, has done. In the latest episode of Beyond the Listing, we sat down with Ramis to unpack his raw, sometimes chaotic, but incredibly insightful Airbnb hosting journey—from fighting bylaws in Niagara Falls to building a passive income machine in the U.S.
If you’re a cottage owner in Ontario wondering how to increase cottage rental income, scale beyond your local market, or ditch the day-to-day headaches of self-managing your Airbnb, this story is your wake-up call.
From Wholesaling to Hosting: How Ramis Got His Start
Ramis’s story begins like many first-generation immigrants: hustling hard and learning fast. After a Rich Dad Poor Dad epiphany, he jumped into real estate wholesaling—closing a $50,000 deal in Cambridge with zero money down. That one win opened his eyes to real estate freedom.
Then came his first taste of Airbnb. It wasn’t planned—it was a client’s property that sparked his curiosity. One listing turned into another. Then came the Niagara Falls unit that, while profitable, operated in the legal grey zone. As Ramis put it in the episode, “It was cash flowing, but I had to look over my shoulder every week.”
Why He Left Ontario: Canada’s STR Red Tape
For many Ontario cottage owners, navigating Airbnb regulations is like playing whack-a-mole. Between municipal bylaws, tax rules, and inconsistent enforcement, it’s easy to feel like the deck is stacked against you.
Ramis felt the same way. “Canada’s not built for scaling STRs,” he says. After running into local opposition and constant uncertainty in Niagara, he made a bold move—investing south of the border.
The Arizona Advantage: Why Ramis Moved His Business to the U.S.
Arizona offered something Ontario didn’t: clarity. Regulations in Scottsdale and Phoenix are well-documented. As long as you register your units, follow HOA rules, and meet zoning laws, you’re good to go.
That allowed Ramis to scale to eight Airbnb units in Arizona, all remotely managed from Canada. “I run the business in about two hours a day,” he says. How? By building a virtual team—paying just $100 per listing for guest messaging, turnover scheduling, and more.
For anyone Googling “is it worth hiring a property manager in Ontario?”—this might be your answer. Imagine a team doing all the work for less than a dinner out.
The Numbers: How Much Can You Actually Make?
Let’s talk profit. Ramis says each Arizona unit nets him roughly $1,000–$1,500/month. That’s after expenses, including cleaners, automation tools, and his VA team.
Compare that to his Niagara unit, which made $3,000/month—but was illegal, unscalable, and full of drama (including a guest who invited over 20 people and got the cops called). In Ramis’s view, sustainable income beats risky income every time.
Co-Hosting vs. Rental Arbitrage: Which Airbnb Strategy Wins?
Ramis has done it all—owning units, co-hosting, and doing rental arbitrage (where you lease a property and sublet it on Airbnb). His take?
Co-hosting is lower risk but caps your income potential.
Arbitrage requires more upfront effort (finding landlords, negotiating leases), but you control the revenue—and scale faster.
If you own a cottage in Muskoka or Georgian Bay and want to stop trading time for bookings, co-hosting with the right team could offer the best of both worlds.
Ontario Owners, Pay Attention: What This Means for You
Whether you're renting out a family cottage in Innisfil or managing multiple lakefront Airbnbs near Bracebridge, Ramis’s journey holds important lessons:
If your rental is in a grey-zone or unregulated area, you might be one bylaw away from a shutdown.
If you’re doing everything yourself, you’re likely leaving money and time on the table.
If you’re hesitant to scale, consider looking at U.S. markets or bringing in a management partner who can handle everything for you.
At Homeseeker, we specialize in turning Ontario cottages into hands-free income generators—with professional listings, dynamic pricing, and full-service guest support. Whether you're looking to optimize what you have or explore out-of-province strategies, we can help.
Final Thoughts: Genius or Lucky?
Is Ramis just lucky—or is he a strategic genius? Maybe a bit of both. But one thing’s clear: his journey proves that with the right systems, mindset, and partners, it’s possible to create passive income from Airbnb without burning out.
💡 Curious how much YOUR cottage could earn on Airbnb?
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👉 https://www.homeseekervacation.com/revenue-report
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Frequently Asked Questions
What homeowner support services do you provide for short-term rentals?
We provide homeowners with tools, strategies, and vendor connections to optimize their short-term rental’s performance and minimize hassle, including:
✅ Listing Optimization – We assist property owners in optimizing their Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia listings by providing expert recommendations and marketing strategies.
✅ Dynamic Pricing – We maximize your revenue by adjusting prices based on demand, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Guest Communication – We provide property owners with best practices for guest communication, including templated responses and automation tools to enhance their booking experience.
✅ Cleaning & Maintenance – We connect property owners with trusted cleaning and maintenance professionals to help maintain a high-quality rental experience.
✅ Check-In & Check-Out Management – We help property owners implement secure and efficient check-in solutions, including keyless entry recommendations, to streamline guest access.
✅ Review Management – We provide review response strategies and guidance to help property owners maintain a strong online reputation.
✅ Revenue Reporting – Monthly performance reports and insights to help you scale your earnings.
How do you charge for your services?
Commission-Based – We offer a revenue-based pricing for our homeowner support and marketing services.
How do I know my property is in good hands?
We have a proven track record of helping property owners maximize their short-term rental success. We support you with:
✅ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✅ Professional cleaners & maintenance referrals – We connect property owners with trusted service providers to help maintain their property in top condition.
✅ Performance insights – We provide owners with occupancy trends, revenue reports, and guest feedback analysis to optimize their listing.
Your property’s success is our success. The better it performs, the more value we create together! 🚀
How do you ensure my property stays protected?
We provide multiple safeguards to help property owners protect their investment:
✔️ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✔️ Security deposits & insurance guidance – We assist property owners in setting up Airbnb’s Host Guarantee, Vrbo’s Property Protection, and other coverage options.
✔️ Smart locks & monitoring – We recommend and guide property owners in implementing keyless entry and noise monitoring solutions for added security.
✔️ House rules communication – We help property owners establish clear house rules and provide strategies for reinforcing them with guests.
Additionally, we encourage all property owners to carry short-term rental insurance for added protection.
Can I still use my property when I want?
Absolutely! You have full control over your calendar. If you want to use your property for personal stays, just block off the dates in your booking platform.
Do you provide furniture & interior design services?
Yes! We offer optional setup services to help property owners enhance their rental’s appeal:
🛋️ Furniture & Décor Selection – We help create a stylish and inviting space that stands out in listing photos.
📸 Professional Photography – High-quality images to showcase your property and improve listing visibility.
📍 Amenity Recommendations – We suggest high-value amenities like hot tubs, smart TVs, coffee makers, and workspaces to help attract more guests and improve guest satisfaction.
How long does it take to get my property listed and earning?
💼 Step 1: Onboarding (1-2 days) – We gather property details, provide recommendations, and customize our approach.
📝 Step 2: Listing Creation (3-5 days) – We optimize your Airbnb/Vrbo listing with professional photos, descriptions, and strategic pricing recommendations.
🚀 Step 3: Go Live! (5-7 days) – Your listing is fully optimized and ready for property owners to manage reservations and maximize their earnings.
Most property owners see increased listing visibility and guest inquiries within the first two weeks.
What if a guest damages my property?
We provide multiple layers of guidance to help property owners protect their investment:
1️⃣ Airbnb/Vrbo Host Protection – Airbnb offers a $3M host guarantee for damages, and Vrbo provides property protection options.
2️⃣ Security Deposits – We help property owners set appropriate deposit policies for added protection.
3️⃣ Short-Term Rental Insurance (Recommended) – We encourage property owners to obtain an STR insurance policy for full coverage.
4️⃣ Guest Screening Best Practices – We provide property owners with tools and strategies to help them screen guests effectively and minimize risks.
If damages occur, we guide property owners on how to handle claims and navigate Airbnb/Vrbo’s protection programs.
Do you guarantee bookings or income?
While we cannot guarantee a specific number of bookings (as market demand fluctuates), we provide property owners with strategies to enhance listing performance:
✅ Dynamic pricing guidance – We provide recommendations to help you adjust rates based on market trends, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Optimized listings – We help improve listing appeal with high-quality photos, engaging descriptions, and strategic keyword placement.
✅ Multi-platform visibility – We guide property owners on listing their rentals across platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia to expand their reach.
Our goal is to help property owners increase their property’s visibility and appeal to attract more potential guests.
What’s the next step to get started?
Ready to optimize your short-term rental? Here’s how to begin:
1️⃣ Schedule a Free Consultation – We discuss your goals and property details.
2️⃣ Property Onboarding – We assist with listing optimization, pricing recommendations, and marketing strategies.
3️⃣ Go Live & Take Control – Your listing is fully set up, and you manage reservations while we support you with expert insights.
📞 Call/Text: 705-996-6799
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.homeseekervacation.com
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